Surprising legends and traditions surrounding Ram Navami
If you have grown up in India, you must know about the Hindu festival Ram Navami. It is celebrated annually and marks the birth anniversary of Lord Rama. It occurs on the ninth day of the month of Chaitra, also called Shukla Paksha Navami or the concluding day of the Chaitra (Spring) Navami. Ram Navami also commemorates the descent of Vishnu in his Ram avatar. This year, Ram Navami falls on 30th March. Today, on the auspicious occasion of Ram Navami, let us take a look at its legends and traditions.
Legend of Lord Vishnu’s incarnation as Lord Rama
The story of Ram Navami goes back to the Hindu epic The Ramayana. Legends have it that King Dashratha were unable to bring an heir. So, he and his three queens, namely Kaushalya, Kaikeyi and Sumitra performed a fire sacrifice called Putra Kamesti Yajna on the advice of Rishi Vashishth. Moreover, after the yajna, the three queens were also offered kheer blessed by the Lord of Yajna. Guess what happens after they consumed it? On the last day of the month of Chaitra, Queen Kaushalya gave birth to Lord Rama, while Kaikeyi birthed Bharata and Sumitra was blessed with Lakshmana and Shatrughna. Later, it was revealed that Lord Rama was born as Lord Vishnu’s seventh avatar. This story is also known to Indians by the name Vratha Katha.
As Vishnu’s incarnation, Lord Rama has ever since been considered as the symbol of truth, righteousness, virtue, bravery, courage, and devotion to duty. Besides, Ram Navami is also considered as a celebration of good over evil, and dharma over adharma.
Traditions of Ram Navami across India
Ram Navami is celebrated across the country, especially in North India’s Ayodhya, often regarded as Lord Rama’s birthplace and home. The day starts off with Rama Katha recitals or narration of stories, legends and myths of Lord Rama, including the ones mentioned in The Ramayana itself. Devotees also participate in bhajans and kirtans throughout the day to celebrate the event. Not only that, it is a custom across northern parts of the country to make miniature idols of Lord Rama in his infant stage, washing him, clothing him and finally placing him in cradles, just like one does with a baby. Some people even fast or keep vratas throughout the day as a homage to Lord Rama. In Ayodhya, many people also take a bath in the holy river Sarayu and then visit the Rama temple.
While South India does not observe Ram Navami with as much pomp and show as the North, they still have their unique traditions. For instance, Ratha yatras or chariot processions are often held in parts of Karnataka in order to send tributes to Lord Rama and his close family, his wife Sita, loyal brother Lakshmana and disciple Hanumana. They also offer free panakam (a drink made of jaggery) to devotees and play Carnatic music on the occasion.
Likewise, Tamil Nadu celebrates it by offering water (jalam) early in the morning to Lord Surya in order to satiate him. People do so as they believe that Surya was the direct ancestor of Lord Rama.
In contrast, people in the east, such as in Bihar observes Ram Navami as the wedding anniversary festival (kalyanotsavam) of Lord Rama and Sita. Odisha on the other hand considers Ram Navami as the day to begin their preparations for their annual Jagannath Rath Yatra festival.